Foreign Nationals must be careful when changing jobs as it may invite a ban and even cancellation of their Visa. Here are points to be considered before switching jobs in Japan;
1. Check your authorized activity under your Visa
Family related Visa holders (Permanent Visa, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-term Resident) can work in any field or industry, so free to change jobs without any Visa related procedures.
Working Visa holders, however, need to check their authorized activity to see if the activities in your new workplace will fall under the same Visa category.
Click here for Authorized activity under your Visa
2. Necessary Visa procedures
In case type of activity changes
If the activities in your new workplace is different from the activities under your current Visa, then you need to change your Visa.
Typical cases when you need to change your Visa are;
- “Instructor” Visa holder plans to work as a teacher at a private language school. (Change to “ Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services “ Visa is necessary. )
- “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” Visa holder decide to start his/her own business. (Change to “ Business Manager” Visa is necessary.)
- “Skilled Labor” Visa holder decides to work as a trading salesman at a trading company. (Change to “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” Visa is necessary.
Click here for Change your Visa
In case type of activity is the same
If the activities in your new workplace remain the same as the activities under your current Visa, you can continue working under your current Visa until it expires. All you have to do is to notify the change of employers within 14 days by submitting the notification to the Immigration office. For more information, please see below “5. Notification on the Contracting Organization“.
Even if the activities remain the same, the Visa renewal might be rejected due to the company size, it’s financial situation, salary etc or when you failed to explain that your activities fall under the provisions of Japanese Immigration law. Therefore, we recommend you apply for “Certificate of Authorized activities”, which enables to certify eligibility to work at new workplace and to make the Visa renewal smoother. For more information, please see below “4. Certificate of Authorized Activities“.
3. Visa Revocation
Your Visa shall be revoked if you cannot find a new job within 3 months after you quit your job. Please make sure to prepare well enough to avoid Visa revocation.
Visa Revocation (Ministry of Justice, Japan)
4. Application for “Certificate of Authorized Activities”
Where to submit?
The regional immigration office (Ministry of Justice, Japan) in charge of the applicant’s address
Who can submit?
- Applicant
- Legal representative
- Certified Japanese attorney or Immigration lawyer like us etc.
Necessary Documents
- Application Form (Ministry of Justice, Japan)
- Resignation certificate
- Document material that proves the intended activity (Employment contract etc)
- Passport and Residence card
- *There could be other necessary documents depending on each individual case.
Processing Time
1～3 months
Fee for Certificate of Authorized Employment
900 yen (If you appoint a lawyer to Visa application, you need to pay the additional fee)
5. Application for “Notification on the Contracting Organization”
When to notify?
Within 14 days from changing the job
How to notify?
- Visit to the regional immigration office (Ministry of Justice, Japan) in charge of the applicant’s address
- Send the notification form with a copy of your Residence card to the below address;
- Submit via online through “Immigration Bureau e-Notification system”. (Registration needed)
Who can notify?
- Applicant
Necessary Documents
- Application Form (Ministry of Justice, Japan)
- Residence card (Copy of Residence card, in case notification via mail)
Fee for Notification on the Contracting Organization
None